Tiny Luxembourg held France to a shock 0-0 draw Sunday in World Cup qualifying in Group A. One of the most aspiring country's in Europe which consists the most amount of young talent sort for were stopped by Luxemburg in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
The point keeps France top of the group, one point ahead of Sweden which earlier beat Belarus 4-0 in Borisov. The Netherlands went third by beating Bulgaria 3-1 in Amsterdam, keeping alive faint Dutch hopes of qualifying for Russia.
But with Sweden's big win in Belarus, goal difference very much favours the Swedes.
Didier Deschamps' team, featuring marquee strikers including Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette, could find no way through Luxembourg's defensive wall on an evening of French frustration in Toulouse.
Griezmann missed a straightforward early chance as France had more than 30 shots on goal but was kept at bay by veteran goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert and a packed defence.
"We had clear chances but against a compact team like that, you have to keep pushing," France coach Deschamps said.
Luxembourg almost stole victory when substitute Gerson Rodrigues hit the post with a fine solo run and shot 12 minutes from time.
(With AP Inputs).
